Cassandra Ventura, better known as Cassie, burst onto the music scene in 2006 with her infectious hit, “Me & U”. Though the former model had a huge first single, after some less than stellar live performances, many were quick to doubt the talents and the staying power of Bad Boy’s resident bad girl. However […]

For many music fans, the death of an artist is cause for brief conversation and a few songs in remembrance. Nothing more than a day or two to honor the person and the music.   Only a select few command more. Elvis, Biggie, James Brown, Tupac, and Aaliyah are prime examples, along with the newest […]

Beyoncé – I AM World TourMadison Square Garden, New York, NY June 21, 2009 When you want to visit the happiest place on Earth, you go to Disneyland. When you want to be inspired, you replay Obama’s first address as President. And when you want to believe in live performances again, you attend a Beyoncé […]

Once again, the clock strikes Friday and the weekend calls. This month marks another year of Last Word being around to give you something to talk about. Shout out to everybody who regularly checks in (the real sounding boards) as well as those who stop by every blue moon and those who, like, don’t like […]

April 2009 marked the 15-year anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, which claimed 800,000 lives in three months. Approximately 10,000 people were murdered daily. In the end, over one-tenth of the Rwandan population was wiped out. The stories that came out of the massacre were heartbreaking, including one of a young man whose entire family […]

What’s good, good people. It’s been a crazy five days with details surfacing regarding an 88-year-old white supremacist shooting up the U.S. National Holocaust Museum, Fiat officially taking management control over Chrysler and Donald Trump finally stripping  Miss California Carrie Prejean of her title for violating her contractual obligation   Thoughts and prayers go out […]

Leela James’ fiery voice carries a century’s worth of Blues, Soul, and R&B history. Since her refreshing slept-on 2005 debut [A Change Is Gonna Come], the LA songstress has carried the figurative musical torch of her predecessors Betty Davis, Myra Barnes, Tina Turner, and Lyn Collins. Last Thursday (June 4), James returned to James Brown’s […]

What’s up, Wordists? Another Friday has dawned. So what else is new other than GM joining Chrysler at the bankruptcy hotel, Obama delivering a great speech to the Muslim community and the 20th anniversary of the violent crackdown on pro-democracy protestors at Tiananmen Square?   Thoughts and prayers for family and friends of Kung Fu […]

R&B balladeer Case has had a tumultuous love affair with life and music. The singer who brought soul to the New Jack sound of the ‘90s with hits including “Happily Ever After” “Touch Me Tease Me” and “Faded Pictures” endured several hardships following his unprecedented success. Rebounding from two near death experiences, a fight to […]

How’s the life? The weekend has approached after a short work week filled with Sonia Sotomayor potentially becoming the first Hispanic and third woman to sit on the Supreme Court if her nomination to the bench is confirmed and North Korea testing the world with launching more nuclear missiles.   Thoughts and prayers go out […]

Within the confines of the world of music, singers with one name represent an exclusive group who have mastered the art of name recognition without the last name.   Prince, D’Angelo, Maxwell and Madonna are true masters in their own right, as well as Usher. In fact, the Dallas-born crooner has expanded his moniker with […]

What’s shakin’ everybody? As we get ready to enjoy the three day Memorial Day weekend, let’s reminisce over Michael Vick being released from prison, the discovery of a 47-million-year-old primate fossil known as Ida and Kris Allen stunning American Idol followers with his surprise win over Adam Lambert.   Thoughts and prayers go out to […]

Some new artists are diamonds in the rough. We don’t realize their true potential until their second or third album, where their artistry is in full bloom. Others are like Melanie Fiona. The Toronto-born songbird epitomizes that intangible something that most try to manufacture, but ultimately fall short after many attempts. Fiona, coming from a […]

What’s the deal, everybody? Another week gone by, a little gas money made with Obama pushing Congress to pass a credit card reform bill to protect consumers. Michael Phelps getting back into the pool after taking time off, and Chrysler closing 789 dealerships as part of its restructuring plan. It was just another week in […]

Being outside the box is nothing new for Tanya Morgan. The Brooklyn/Cincinnati-based trio’s name may conjure up images of a lone female, but male rappers Donwill, Ilyas and Von Pea are anything but, as they fuel their rhymes with diverse views and influences for the masses.   As a result, the collective has endeared themselves […]

What’s the word good people?  The week is gone and the weekend calls. And all we have to show for it is LeBron getting MVP honors, Connie Culp, the first face transplant recipient, making her first appearance since her groundbreaking surgery and Miss California still caught up in scandal with semi-nude pictures surfacing.   Thoughts […]

There’s a reassured calmness about Teairra Mari as she prepares to reintroduce herself to the world. Like a shooting star, she illuminated the R&B scene with her sparkling debut, Roc-A-Fella Presents: Teairra Mari. The Detroit native’s 2005 ladies anthem, “Make Her Feel Good,” climbed to 23 on the Billboard charts. It seemed all was well […]

Last week, U.S. performing rights organization BMI (Broadcast Music, Incorporated) returned to Atlanta for their 12th Urban Music Showcase. Annually, the organization mixes up and coming artists with established stars. The 2008 event featured headliners Lil Wayne, Sean Garrett, and Teyana Taylor. This year, BMI brought together a unique combination of Nas, Trey Songz, and […]

Hello, hello, hello. Once again, the weekend arrives as everybody tries to protect themselves from the swine flu, takes in President Obama’s first 100 days in office and enjoys the arrival of the summer movie season.   Thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Gospel music singer the Rev. Timothy Wright […]

It would seem like a no brainer to feature De La Soul in an edition of You Know I Got Soul considering “soul” is in their name. The legendary Hip-Hop group has been a part of our audio experience for over two decades. With untouchable punchlines coupled with smooth vibes, De La Soul has not […]